NIGHTHAWK AX8 WiFi Cable Modem Router CAX80 User Guide

: June 7, 2024
: NIGHTHAWK

Table of Contents

Package contents
Install using the modem router web interface
Set up and activate your modem router
Regulatory and Legal
Support and Community
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

AX8 WiFi Cable Modem Router
Model CAX80
Quick Start

Download the Nighthawk app to install your modem router
On your mobile phone, download the Nighthawk app and follow the setup instructions. If you don’t want to use the Nighthawk app, see the other side of this Quick Start guide.
Secure your devices with NETGEAR Armor™
Tap the Security icon in your Nighthawk app to verify that NETGEAR Armor is activated. Your Nighthawk comes with NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity. Armor blocks online threats like hackers and phishing attempts on your devices.

Package contents

NIGHTHAWK AX8 WiFi Cable Modem Router CAX80 - Package
contents

A sticker on the side of your modem router displays the preset WiFi network name, password, and QR code.

NIGHTHAWK AX8 WiFi Cable Modem Router CAX80 - FIGURE 1

Install using the modem router web interface

Before you begin:

Collect your cable Internet service provider (ISP) account information, such as your account mobile phone number, user name, password, and account number, and the modem router’s MAC address (on the modem router label).
If you use Xfinity, download the Xfinity app from the App Store or from Google Play™. If you already have the Xfinity app, make sure you have the latest version.

Connect your modem router

Turn off and disconnect existing modems and routers. If you are replacing a modem that is currently connected in your home, unplug the modem and plug the new modem router into the same outlet.
Connect a coaxial cable. Use a coaxial cable to connect the coaxial cable connector on the modem router to the cable wall outlet. Make sure the cable is tightly connected.
We recommend connecting directly to the cable wall outlet. If you must share the connection, use a 3.5dB (1 to 2) splitter.
Connect the power adapter.
Connect the power adapter to the modem router and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet.
Wait for the Online LED to light solid white for at least one minute.
Note: This process might take up to 10 minutes and the modem router might reset several times.
Note: When the Online LED lights, your modem router is still not connected to the Internet. You must activate your modem router with your ISP.
If after 10 minutes the LED is still not solid white, verify that the cable outlet is working or call your ISP to make sure you have a connection.

Set up and activate your modem router

If you use Xfinity:

Make sure that your mobile device is using an LTE Internet connection (do not connect to a WiFi network).
Open the Xfinity app and sign in with your Xfinity ID.
Follow the steps to get online.
The activation process takes about 5 minutes.
On your mobile device, launch a web browser and enter routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 in the address field.
Go to Step 5.

If you use another Internet service provider:

Connect your computer or mobile device to the modem router with WiFi or Ethernet:
WiFi: Use the WiFi network name (SSID) and password on the modem router label to connect.
Ethernet: Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to an Ethernet port on the modem router. (Your computer must have an Ethernet port.)
Launch a web browser and enter routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 in the address field.

When the Activate Internet Service page displays, select your ISP.

Either follow your ISP’s online activation procedure or call your ISP for activation.

The page displays this information about your modem router:

Model number CAX80
Serial number
MAC address

If you phone your ISP for activation, the person you speak to might need this information.

After activation is complete and the Internet Status is ONLINE in the browser, click NEXT.
The NETGEAR account page displays and you are prompted to change your modem router’s admin credentials and set up security questions.

Follow the prompts to:

Change your modem router’s admin credentials and set up security questions.
Register your modem router.
Review your WiFi network name and password.

Regulatory and Legal

For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy- policy.
By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at
https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the device to your place of purchase within your return period.

Note to CATV System Installer- This reminder is provided to call the CATV systems installer’s attention to Section 820-93 of the National Electrical Code, which provides guidelines for proper grounding and in particular, specifies that coaxial cable shield shall connect to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

NETGEAR, Inc.
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA| NETGEAR INTERNATIONAL LTD
Floor 1, Building 3 University Technology Centre Curraheen Road, Cork,
T12EF21, Ireland|
---|---|---
LED| Description
---|---
| • Solid white: The modem router is receiving power and is functioning normally.
• Off: The modem router is not receiving power.
• Solid red: The modem router is too warm and might overheat.
| • Solid amber: One downstream channel is locked.
• Solid white: Two or more downstream channels are locked.
• Blinking white: The modem router is scanning for a downstream channel.
• Off: No downstream channel is locked.
| • Solid amber: One upstream channel is locked.
• Solid white: Two or more upstream channels are locked.
• Blinking white: The modem router is scanning for an upstream channel.
• Off: No upstream channel is locked.
| • Solid white: The modem router is online.
• Blinking white: The modem router is synchronizing with the cable provider’s cable modem termination system (CMTS).
• Off: The modem router is offline.
Multi-Gig
Ethernet| The LED color indicates the speed: blue for a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet connection, white for a 1 Gbps Ethernet connection, and amber for a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.
• Solid: A powered-on device is connected to the port.
• Blinking: The port is sending or receiving traffic.
• Off: No device is connected to this port.
| The LED color indicates the speed: white for a Gigabit Ethernet connection and amber for a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection or a 10 Mbps Ethernet connection.
• Solid: A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port.
• Blinking: The port is sending or receiving traffic.
• Off: No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
2.4 GHz radio
2.4 GHz| • Solid white: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking white: The modem router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
• Off: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
5 GHz radio
5 GHz| • Solid white: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking white: The modem router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
• Off: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
| • Solid white: A USB device is connected and ready.
• Blinking white: A USB device is plugged in and trying to connect.
• Off: No USB device is connected.
Button
| Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios
on and off. If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi
radios are off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the modem router.
| Pressing this button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing
the password. The WPS LED blinks during this process and then lights solid.

Support and Community

Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest downloads.
You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at community.netgear.com.
Customer-owned cable devices might not be compatible with certain cable networks. Check with your cable Internet provider to confirm that this NETGEAR cable device is allowed on your cable network.
If you are experiencing trouble installing your modem router, contact NETGEAR at 1-866-874-8924.

Cable Internet
Provider| Support and Activation Contact Information
---|---
Cox| https://www.cox.com/residential/support/home.html
https://www.cox.com/activate
1-888-556-1193
Mediacom| https://support.mediacomcable.com
1-855-Mediacom (1-855-633-4226)
Optimum| https://www.optimum.net/support/contact-us
https://install.optimum.com/JointInstall
1-877-810-6750
Sparklight| https://support.sparklight.com
1-877-692-2253
Spectrum| https://www.spectrum.net/contact-us
https://activate.spectrum.net
1-833-267-6094
Xfinity| https://www.xfinity.com/internetsetup
Use the Xfinity app for Xfinity activation and then use the NETGEAR Nighthawk app for router installation.